How would you describe your position as International Programs Advisor at EARTH University?
My position as international programs advisor could be described in two words: global and experiential. Global in the sense of always having to communicate, create partnerships, and implement programs that are at the service of a global community that takes advantage of what we can offer in Costa Rica and EARTH University as a whole.
Experiential in the way of feeling the impact of your job. To explain further, this happens when you see the global community engaging with your country in the communities, in our touristic places, and in our educational model. That is when you sense the experience that they are having and instantly converts your daily job into something experiential.
With Students
Describe a typical day at EARTH´s International Academic Relations Office. What are you currently working on?
My days vary a lot from day to day, but overall they are very demanding as you have to be in 24/7 contact with international staff, either from universities or partner companies. I have to oversee the entire operation of different programs that are assigned to me, plus the unforeseen visits (that we have a lot) that we have to happily attend.
Often our job requires a lot of computer skills, alongside with the implementation of new technologies to provide educational programs mainly, but not limited to US students, that want to come either for an internship, short term programs, faculty led, or research.
Currently, I am working on the planning for the site visits to the US with our partner universities and different stakeholders, and finalizing budgets and program itineraries for the faculty led programs that we are going to have starting January 3rd, 2019.
If you could switch jobs with someone in the office, who would it be and why?
Our office is very small, it has made up of another colleague with the same job description as mine, our assistant, and our boss. So, if I could switch jobs I will be in my boss office.
The reason is because he is in charge of a high-level communication with different partners and also has the responsibility to manage the office, things that I like to do the most.
Is there a piece of advice that you live by?
I do not have one in particular but there is one thing that I like to say every day and it is “live your day as it is was your last”. I always take the opportunity to travel to some site in Costa Rica or abroad, take the opportunity to challenge myself every day with my personal hobbies (photography and film) and study a lot.
Traveling
What does conscious, purposeful travel mean to you?
For me it means that you have to travel with open mind and receive every energy that is in the place that you are visiting. One place that I loved the most was India. At the beginning it was a gigantic cultural shock, but as the days passed I make my mind to understand everything that was happening in my surroundings and I ended up loving their culture, their beliefs, the food, and most important, their view of life.
So in the end, the whole purpose is to travel understanding your position, where you are, where you want to go, and take from that country the most valuable lesson that you can have: humbleness.
What characteristics make EARTH University/Costa Rica a great program location?
Costa Rica is located in a tropical area, meaning, that we have the perfect weather to travel in the country the entire year. Also, we have a lot of environmental consciousness, so when you get to places they do not serve your drinks with straws—plastic is being banned and we care about environment.
Also, Costa Rica is one of the most secure countries in Central America and we have no army! What is better than that?
Finally, Costa Rica is the number one location for American citizens to retire, so if you come here for a short program or a faculty led you might be closer than you think to living here forever.
Why do you think study abroad is important?
Study abroad is important because it gives you a global perspective on global issues. No matter where you go, you will learn a lot because study abroad programs enable you to share with the communities, with professionals, and with students from different backgrounds that will teach you valuable life lessons that you can take back home, with the benefit of also studying—it is a win-win situation.
At The Office
As EARTH´s International Programs Advisor, what do you think the most marketable feature of EARTH University is?
Sustainable development and conservation in the tropics. EARTH University is the best example in Costa Rica of having a sustainable community. We provide our own food, we recycle most of our waste, we do not contaminate the rivers, and we also have a banana plantation/packing plant that is sustainable and carbon neutral. EARTH University is a living laboratory.
Why do you think it is important for young people to step outside their comfort zone and travel in the world today?
Because if you do not do it you cannot change your reality or your way of thinking. It affects politics, the environment, and your lifestyle. Traveling abroad and stepping out your comfort zone enables you to fight for your rights and also acknowledge that some of your rights might have been taken away.
In the end, traveling the world will develop you as a global citizen and you will understand what social justice means.
What makes EARTH one of a kind?
As mentioned above, EARTH University offers a unique educational model focus on sustainability and conservation. Most of the classes are hands on, in the field and that helps you to be a world citizen and empower yourself to be a better human being.
In addition to this, we have more than 40 nationalities on our campus and that is a great example of multiculturalism.
On Site
Do you have a personal mission statement?
Yes, striving for excellence. All of our work, all of our duties, all of our experiences must be done with excellence. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, try to do all of the things as excellent as you can. You will fail and you will receive critics for your work, but that will help you to be better.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I love about my job is the openness, the leadership values, all of the nature that surrounds the campus (3.376 hectares), and that you are able to share with a lot of student’s life experiences that change your life forever.
What is on your wish list for your next five years here at EARTH?
I wish that EARTH University keeps evolving towards internationalization and creating an even more global campus full of people from around the world helping to overcome global issues.
How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
I want to have a more global mindset, to try to change politics through activism, and to try to be an agent of change in other people’s lives.